What type of cremation involves no formal viewing or embalming?

Direct cremation is the type of cremation characterized by the absence of a formal viewing or the requirement for embalming. This process is straightforward and typically involves the immediate cremation of the body after death, without the added steps of preparation for a funeral service or viewing.

Families may choose direct cremation for various reasons, including cost considerations, a desire for simplicity, or personal preferences regarding how they wish to remember their loved ones. By bypassing traditional elements like embalming and formal services, direct cremation allows for a more immediate and often less expensive option while still providing families the opportunity to honor their deceased later in a more personal way, if they choose to do so.

In contrast, traditional cremation often includes a formal viewing or a funeral service and may require embalming, which adds layers of preparation and cost. Direct burial, while having similar characteristics of immediacy, refers specifically to interment without celebration or viewing rather than cremation. A memorial service, typically held after a cremation or burial, involves honoring the deceased but does not pertain directly to the method of body disposition.